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Honda plans to source around 400,000 hybrid vehicle batteries from Toyota’s North Carolina plant to circumvent tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. Toyota’s $14 billion factory, its first battery plant outside Japan, will begin production next month. This move is part of a broader trend among Japanese automakers to restructure supply chains in response to US tariffs. Demand for efficient hybrids is rising in the US, while President Trump plans to scrap his predecessor’s initiative to promote electric vehicles. By 2030, hybrid vehicle sales in the US are projected to double last year’s figure to 4.12 million units, accounting for a quarter of new car sales. Honda aims to sell 1.3 million hybrids globally (excluding China) by 2030, a 50% increase from last year. However, Trump’s trade policies pose challenges, with a 20% tariff on Chinese imports and plans to raise tariffs on Japanese car imports from 2.5% to 25%. Japan exports 1.3 million cars to the US annually, and the tariff hike is expected to cost Japan’s six major automakers approximately $20 billion.

Tesla has launched the refreshed Model Y with two configurations: the Rear-Wheel Drive Launch Edition priced at 263,500 RMB and the Long Range All-Wheel-Drive Launch Edition at 303,500 RMB. The refreshed Model Y features significant updates in design, interior, rear seating, range, and suspension. The exterior includes a new front end with split headlights and a full-width taillight bar, reducing the drag coefficient to 0.22 for improved range. The interior offers two color options with increased Alcantara coverage and a 15-inch central touchscreen powered by an AMD Ryzen chip. The vehicle also introduces a new Glacier Blue color option.

Geely Galaxy A7 is set to launch on August 8th, with a pre-sale price range of 97,800-133,800 yuan. Positioned as a mid-size sedan with a wheelbase of 2,845 mm, it offers two electric ranges: 70 km and 150 km. The Galaxy A7 aims to challenge BYD Qin L DM-i, which is priced between 99,800 and 153,800 yuan. The Galaxy A7's official price is expected to be lower than the pre-sale price, with an estimated range of 86,800-122,800 yuan, and an early bird price potentially starting at 81,800 yuan.

Leapmotor has released spy shots of four new models, including an A-segment sedan, D-segment SUV, D-segment MPV, and B-segment sedan B05. The D-series is positioned as high-end and luxurious. The D21 SUV features a laser radar, Snapdragon dual 8797 platform, and a large body size, with 6- or 7-seat configurations. It will be priced between 250,000 and 300,000 yuan, focusing on high cost-effectiveness.

Cycle & Carriage has launched a three-month pop-up store at 1 Utama, starting from August 1, 2025. The multi-brand store showcases vehicles from Leapmotor and Peugeot, including the Leapmotor C10 and T03, as well as the Peugeot 408 and 2008. Adrian Short, CEO of Cycle & Carriage Malaysia, said the pop-up store aims to bring the brands closer to the public and deliver exceptional customer experiences. Isaac Yeo, managing director of Stellantis ASEAN, highlighted that the store strengthens connections with Malaysian customers through innovative engagement.

The Geely EX5 (known as the Geely Galaxy E5 in China) has entered the Nepalese market, with LRR Motors bringing in the Pro and Max right-hand drive variants. Priced at NPR 5.8 million (RM174,800) and NPR 6.8 million (RM204,910) respectively, the EX5 directly competes with the Proton eMas 7, which entered Nepal in March. The EX5 features a 218 PS (160 kW) and 320 Nm electric motor, with a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds and a top speed of 175 km/h. It is equipped with a 60.22 kWh LFP battery, offering up to 430 km of WLTP range. The vehicle includes a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, and a 16-speaker Flyme Audio system.